Chapter 78

Eating Disorders

B. Timothy Walsh

B. Timothy Walsh

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

Division of Clinical Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA

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First published: 16 April 2008
Citations: 5

Summary

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the best characterized eating disorders, with well-recognized patterns of behavior, and clearly described psychological and physical consequences. Anorexia nervosa is associated with a substantial mortality, and few evidence-based effective treatments have been identified. In contrast, the efficacy of both psychological and pharmacologic interventions has been documented for bulimia nervosa. In addition to these well-characterized syndromes, a wide range of other disturbances in eating behavior, such as binge-eating disorder, may prompt individuals to seek psychiatric care. These disturbances are less well characterized and treatment interventions less clearly identified.

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